Area: Tara (Kilmessan)
Started: July 1949
Finished: April 1950
Poles Erected: 1400
Km. of line used: 112
Premises Connected: 235

The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine. Click here to find out more on what the figures mean. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a digitised version of the original map used during the scheme.

Mr. John Longhran and his new electric refrigerator Kilmessan December 1949

Bottling Machine Kilmessan mineral water factory December 1949

Very Rev. P. Norris blessing the new mineral water factory in Kilmessan December 1949

Chemical laboratory, mineral water factory Kilmessan December 1949

At work in the mineral water factory Kilmessan December 1949

Switch on ceremony Kilmessan with L. to R. Very Rev. P. Norris P.P., Mr. Liam Cosgrave T.D., Senator P. Fitzsimons and Rev. J. White C.C. December 5th. 1949

Floodlit Kilmessan Church December 1949

The REO News from March 1948 contained a copy of a postcard issued by the Kilmessan Rural Development Association.

The REO News from January 1950 reported the switch on ceremony in Tara (Kilmessan)

According to The REO News from April 1950 Tara (Kilmessan) had a first class active local committee

From: Irish Press 6/12/1949

E.S.B. Scheme For Co. Meath Village, New Factory Too

KILMESSAN (Co. Meath), Monday night. The quiet little village of Kilmessan, nestling under the shadow of Tara Hill, saw tonight two major steps in the programme of its Rural Development Association materialise in the switching on of the E.S.B. current and the formal opening of its first industry a mineral water and food products factory.

The inauguration of both projects, as well as several other amenities, is largely due to the Development Association of which V. Rev. P. Norris, P.P., is chairman, and Mr. Brien Fleming, Sec. The parish has also on its programme a piped water supply, a bus service linking the village with Dublin, and elimination of flooding of the River Skane.

The new factory, which will at first employ 20 people, was established. by Mr. Cormac Murray, a native of the district, and a son of Mr. R. J. Murray, M.C.C. This is the second factory started by the Murray family this year, the other being the An Uaimh Steel Products factory founded by Mr. Frank Murray, another son of Mr. R. J. Murray.

Speaking at the inauguration of the electrification scheme and the opening of the factory, Mr. L. Cosgrave, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce, said that although progress was being slowed down by difficulties in regard to materials and by the shortage of particular types of labour, skilled and semi-skilled, it had recently been possible to accelerate the rate of progress and 63 areas had been completed.

Areas under development numbered 24, while 12 further areas had been selected for development and work would be begun on them as soon as the Board’s trained crews had completed work on areas being developed. There were 130 further areas under investigation.

Speaking at the opening of the factory, Mr. Cosgrave complimented Mr. Murray on his enterprise, and said that three native governments had done all that could be done to advance Irish industries for the past quarter of a century, but nothing they could do would bring success without the enterprise of men of the character of Mr. Murray who had confidence in the country, in themselves and in the men they would employ. An address of welcome was read by Rev. J. White, C.C.,V. Rev. Fr. Norris presided, and the attendance included many clergy, public representatives and officials.